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Senate Bill 484, the object of derision around the nation, would force most women seeking an abortion to undergo an invasive transvaginal ultrasound

Senate Bill 484, the invasive ultrasound bill sponsored by Senator Jill Vogel, is due for a vote in the Virginia House of Delegates today. SB 484 will force any woman seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound, which in most cases would involve an invasive transvaginal ultrasound probe.

Vogel’s bill, one of two identical measures in the General Assembly, is the first to be up for final passage before being sent to the Governor for his signature. The companion bill patroned by Republican Delegate Kathy Byron has yet to be heard in front of a Senate committee.

The effort by Vogel and the Republicans in the General Assembly has focused the eyes of the national media upon Virginia. Virginia has been called the “laughingstock” of the nation. Last night on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart lampooned Virginia Republicans for forcing women to undergo a mandatory ultrasound — which, since most women seek an abortion during the first trimester, would necessitate an intrusive transvaginal ultrasound. Vogel’s bill has also been parodied on Saturday Night Live, the Bill Maher Show on HBO and has been the subject of stories and editorials in newspapers across the country.

We oppose Senator Vogel’s mean-spirited effort to force women to be subjected to such an invasive procedure against their will. Vogel’s legislation, SB 484 stretches the long arm of the government into a decision that should be between a woman, her faith, and her doctor.

If this law — which passed the Senate earlier this month on a largely party-line vote — passes the House of Delegates today, and signed by Governor McDonnell, it would force women to submit to an intrusive medical test against her will. Vogel’s bill demeans women by insinuating that they do not fully understand that they are, in fact, carrying a fetus. Her bill attempts to physically bully women into not having an abortion.

Senator Jill Vogel represents all or parts of Clarke County, and parts of Culpeper County, Fauquier County, Frederick County, Loudoun County, Stafford County, and Winchester City.